This Is War, Baby - K Webster Page 0,52

to get out a husky reply. “Yes, sir. I like Baylee a lot.”

Dad grunted and waved for him to enter. “What is it exactly that you ‘like’ about my daughter?”

Brandon stepped in, his body slightly quivering and his eyes darted over to mine. He was so good looking. One day he’d grow into a handsome man. His height towered over mine but Dad was still taller. Brandon was muscular but not as big as my dad who did physical labor all day at the shop. Dad’s beard was thick and his dark hair hung in his eyes making him look like a feral animal in comparison to Brandon’s clean-cut appearance. I knew women found Dad attractive because I’d heard on more than one occasion my mom get jealous of a few of our overly neighborly neighbors.

“I like her smile. She’s one of the nicest people I know,” Brandon said softly and his gaze found mine. “I like that she cares about people at school and makes it a point to talk to everyone no matter if they’re cool or not. And I like that she runs the track not as if she’s running from the world but as if she’s running toward it, embracing all that life has to offer her.”

Mom let out a sigh and I couldn’t help but grin at my secret boyfriend.

“So poetic,” Gabe mocked with a chuckle as he entered through our open front door. My eyes tore from Brandon to regard our neighbor and my dad’s best friend. His eyes always seemed to follow me from room to room. It was as if he looked through me into my head and could understand my most secret thoughts. He unnerved me—even if he was really hot for an older guy.

“Whatcha think, Gabe?” Dad asked. “This boy good enough to date my Baylee?”

Brandon swallowed down his apparent nerves but straightened his back to meet the glare of Gabe.

“As long as they’re not having sex, I don’t see the harm in her dating a boy.” Gabe’s eyes flitted down my body and a chill ran through me. My boobs have grown and Brandon’s not the only one who noticed them. I’d caught Gabe staring on more than one occasion. I kind of liked that he liked my body. It made me feel more grown up than I was.

“They’re not having sex. Ever,” Dad said firmly.

Brandon nodded in a clipped manner as if to agree with my dad. My heart did a nosedive because I’d already been having many dirty fantasies involving Brandon and I. Chewing on my lip, I darted my gaze back to Gabe. He did that thing where he gave me a look that seemed to implant itself inside my head. A look that said, I’d have sex with you because I’m a man. My lower belly started to ache and I had the urge to run to my room away from the awkward situation.

“Gabe, Tony,” Mom blurted out suddenly, “get out here and start the grill. The kids have some studying to do. Leave them alone, and Brandon, I hope you’ll join us for dinner.”

Brandon let out a rush of relieved breath. “I’d love to, ma’am.”

Gabe seemed unimpressed but I was very impressed. Brandon was a sweet, sexy boy but he sure did hold his own with two fierce men. I thought I fell for my boyfriend a little more.

“Fine,” Dad groaned but grabbed Brandon’s bicep. “But if I so much as hear you think about hurting my daughter, we’ll be having you for dinner, all right.”

With that threat, he released his arm and stormed out the door with a smirking Gabe on his heels.

A chime from the computer alerting me of a new e-mail startles me from my memory. I blink away the tears and open the e-mail.

Baylee

Yes, I got the money. Money that isn’t needed. What’s needed is my daughter. Come home. You’re a teenager and if I find out who has you, I’ll ruin them for kidnapping my daughter and having sex with a minor.

Dad

I gape at his reply. I’d expected him to be angry, but he’s acting out of character. For a brief moment, I wonder if Gabe is the one replying. That idea sends a shiver down my spine and I shake away the terrifying thought.

Dad,

Why isn’t Mom replying to me? Is she in the hospital? Did they find a donor? And I’m not sleeping with him. There’s someone else that should be ruined—a monster that is too close to